I experimented last night (with some really old grungy Jefferson nickels first) using ketchup, barb-b-que sauce and Braggs liquid aminos. I was going to take Aloldstuff's advice, but I was out of worcester sauce lol and here are my results:
I liked the result of the Bragg's best, so I soaked my 1924 buff all day long, checking on it often and turning it over (only worked on the top half each time)
Before:
Scrubbed some of the red off w/toothbrush and dishwashing liquid & then soaked it a few more hours:
Finally after about 8 hours soaking and a few toothbrushin's the red color is gone
Then scrubbed it with a plastic dish scrubby pad and dishwashing liquid for the shiny effect:
I think I like the results I didn't think it was possible... I thought the red was all the way through the buffs stretcher: Not sure if I'll do this to the other 4 buffs I've found so far. I actually like the red color with a little dirt outlining profiles--- because they're earthy, like Native Americans...
I'm curious what a coin dealer will say about the value- I'm not too worried about the value of buffs, it's more for display purposes, to shine them up like that. I'll take it in tomorrow, not tell him what I did and see what he says & let ya'll know lol